Trusten Polk

Trusten Polk was an American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Missouri from 1857 until his expulsion in 1862. A member of the Democratic Party, Polk's political career was marked by his brief tenure as governor of Missouri and his involvement in the political landscape during a tumultuous period in American history, particularly the Civil War. His legacy includes his support for slavery and his participation in the Confederate cause, which ultimately led to his removal from the Senate.

Early life and career

Trusten Polk was born on May 29, 1811, in Bridgeville, Delaware, to William Nutter Polk and Levinia Causey Polk. He belonged to the Polk family and was a distant cousin of President James K. Polk. His early education took place in common schools, and he later graduated from Yale College in 1831. Initially aspiring to become a minister, Polk shifted his focus to law after his father encouraged him to pursue a legal career. He studied law under Delaware Attorney General James Rogers and attended Yale Law School for two years. In 1835, he was admitted to the bar, marking the beginning of his legal career.

Following his admission to the bar, Polk relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1835, where he began practicing law. His legal career included a notable position as St. Louis City Counselor in 1843. In addition to his legal work, Polk played a role in the establishment of the University of Missouri School of Medicine, assisting Governor Henry S. Geyer in this endeavor. Between 1835 and the fall of 1845, he temporarily left Missouri due to health issues, during which time he engaged in educational studies across various regions of North America.

Polk's political involvement began in earnest in the mid-1840s. In 1845, he served as a delegate to the Missouri State constitutional convention, and in 1848, he was a Democratic presidential elector for Missouri. His early attempts to secure a congressional seat included an unsuccessful bid for the United States House of Representatives in 1854.

Senate tenure

Polk's political career reached a significant milestone when he was inaugurated as the governor of Missouri on January 5, 1857. However, his governorship was notably brief, lasting only 53 days, making it the shortest in Missouri's history. He resigned from the governorship on February 27, 1857, in order to take his seat in the United States Senate, where he began his term on March 4, 1857.

During his time in the Senate, Polk was a member of the Democratic Party and aligned himself with the "Central Clique," a group of conservative politicians from Mid-Missouri. His tenure in the Senate was marked by his support for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. This allegiance ultimately led to his expulsion from the Senate on January 10, 1862, alongside fellow Missouri Senator Waldo P. Johnson. Their removal was a direct consequence of their support for the Confederacy, which was viewed unfavorably by the Union-aligned government.

After his expulsion, Polk's involvement in the Civil War continued as he served in the Missouri State Guard, achieving the rank of colonel. His family faced significant challenges during this period, including exile from St. Louis. In 1863, Polk was captured by Union forces and imprisoned at Johnson's Island, where he fell ill. He was later released in a prisoner exchange, which allowed him to return to the South.

Legislative focus and committees

Throughout his political career, Trusten Polk's legislative focus included support for the temperance movement and hard currency. He was involved in the temperance movement from as early as 1836, leading a group dedicated to these principles. His stance on slavery was particularly notable; he was a slaveowner and actively supported the institution, especially during his time in the Senate. His political actions reflected the prevailing attitudes of many Southern Democrats of the era, aligning with the interests of slaveholding constituents.

Polk's involvement in the Senate and his subsequent expulsion were significant events in the context of the Civil War. His support for the Confederacy and his alignment with conservative political factions in Missouri positioned him within a contentious political landscape. Following his release from imprisonment, he continued to engage in public service, serving as a judge in Mississippi's court-martial from 1864 to 1865.

After the war, Polk relocated to Mexico for a period before returning to St. Louis to reunite with his family and resume his legal practice. His personal life included a marriage to Elizabeth Skinner on December 26, 1837, with whom he had five children. Trusten Polk passed away on April 16, 1876, in St. Louis, due to heart disease, and was laid to rest in Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Polk's political career, though relatively brief in the Senate, was emblematic of the complexities of American politics during the mid-19th century, particularly regarding issues of slavery and states' rights. His legacy is intertwined with the historical events of his time, reflecting the challenges and conflicts that shaped the United States during the Civil War era.